The Merseyside Funding Information Portal is packed with information on how to get your hands on money for your project, group or organisation as well as links to other sites and support services that can give you further support.

Sniff out new funds!

There are three sections in this portal full of funding information:

Breaking news! This section gives you up-to-the-minute information on new funding opportunities, as well as up-and-coming training and events, details of tendering and commissioning opportunities and strategic updates to find out more about the bigger picture.

Piggy Bank! This is a full database and search engine of funding sources from charitable trusts and foundations, government funding and the National Lottery, as well asfunding for social enterprises.

Advice and Support This section is packed with information to help you improve your fundraising techniques. We have a comprehensive factsheet library as well as a useful links section to other sites offering funding information and advice. You can also find out about support agencies which could offer more detailed face-to-face advice on your fundraising activities.

Finding the right information

Use the navigator/search tool in the top right of the screen to search for the most relevant information. Type in a key word, such as 'youth', 'Knowsley' or 'new group' to get details of articles, useful links and fact sheets that relate to your enquiry.

Help! I need somebody!

Can't find what you are looking for? Click here to find out how to get in touch with your local support agency to speak to someone about finding your funding neds and where to access the right information.

Using the Piggy Bank Funding Search

The Piggy Bank Funding Search (powered by j4b) is a funding and support website for voluntary and community organisations. The Piggy Bank provides you with comprehensive coverage of government, Lottery, European, non-government and charitable trust funding opportunities in your area.

The Piggy Bank gives you access to:-

- 60 second funding search engine or category browse for easy and quick access
- 24 hour update for comprehensive funding information
- Full scheme and contact details linking you directly to funding providers
- Local information and support agencies to help your organisation meet it's potential
- National news bulletins on changes to funding schemes

Tips on using the Piggy Bank funding search engine:

Step 1) Go to 'Piggy Bank Funding Search' in the main menu of this website. Click on the relevant link depending on which area you are in and if you are a voluntary or community group or if you are looking for social enterprise funding.

Step 2) If you are using the Piggy Bank funding search for the first time, you will be asked to register your contact details (including email address) and create a password for yourself (the password can be anything you choose). Registering your details will automatically sign you up for our email update!

Step 3) You can now delve into the piggy bank! There are full categorised sections on the following topics that you can browse at your leisure:-

- National Lottery Funding
- Government and European Funding
- Charitable Trust Funding
- Local Advice and Support Agencies

Step 4) If you want to look for funding that is specific to your needs you can click on 'funding search' and answer the questions relating to your organisation and its project to find the most relevant funding sources. This should take no longer than 60 seconds!

Step 5) You can run as many search terms as you like! A good tip is to keep your search quite general as you will find that more funding sources will come up in the results - you can then pick the most appropriate sources for you to apply to.

Step 6) You will get a list of possible funding sources from the search. Click on the name of the source and a full profile will be opened. Read through this to check if it is relevant to your organisation's needs. You can print off the details and contact the funder directly for more information.

Plea to fundraisers!

Funders receive large numbers of applications fromgroups and organisations that are simply not eligible or relevant to their work. This causes a great waste of time and expense (both on the funder's and your own part), which could otherwise be focused more effectively.

After using the funding information email and website, please make sure that you obtain each funder's guidelines and application form (if relevant) and read them carefully before making an application. If you need advice on choosing the right funding sources for your needs, please click here to contact your local support agency for assistance.

Funding information has been obtained from various sources - please see website entries for details.